Israel SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Have fun with general chit-chat and speculation while we all get organised and obtain a copy of the book.
No spoiler or important plot points, please!

I'm ashamed to admit this, but this will be my first Pratchett.

I am curious to read this book but also a little nervous. I have read the children's book Johnny and the Dead which I quite enjoyed. But The Color of Magic didn't do much for me.

I've already got the book, will be starting it tonight (in a few minutes) I'm very excited, motivated to read this one. :-)

Esther wrote: "I am curious to read this book but also a little nervous. I have read the children's book Johnny and the Dead which I quite enjoyed. But The Color of Magic didn't do much for me."

I've heard that The Color of Magic isn't his best work.

I've noticed that Pratchett is incredibly popular in Israel. At the Icon used books of his were priced at 60 NIS, and people were actually buying them! I've enjoyed the books of his that I have read but I wouldn't say that he's one of my favorite authors, mostly because his characters aren't as developed as I like my book characters to be. But Dodger sounds like an enjoyable book and I look forward to reading it.

I've ordered mine on TBD.
I find most second hand books in Israel ridiculously expensive. In England I used to go to car boot sales and pick up a bag of books for a pound (about 6 nis). That said, last time I went to Icon I was extremely pleased to pick up books from the Dune series to replace the ones that someone borrowed and never returned to me.

I enjoy Paratchett's Children/YA books. They are written for a younger crowd but the ideas and themes are the same.

I'm not very far into Dodger yet, but It could easily have been set in Ank-Morpork instead of London.(you can see I'm a audiobook listener, I've read most of his books and I'm not sure how to spell Ankmorpork).

Dodger is more Discworldy than the Johny trilogy.

Zivan wrote: "...you can see I'm a audiobook listener, I've read most of his books and I'm not sure how to spell Ankmorpork..."
I normally have the opposite problem and have no idea how to pronounce the names I have read in books.

This is also my first Pratchett, and only a couple of pages in i can already say that, if nothing else, it is very well written. I find that a book with immaculate prose can be forgiven much else, and if there is not much to forgive, well then, that is a good book in my book... (Sorry, I like abusing proverbs)

"You have to goeth"
Dodger quoting from the bible

I am enjoying Dodger very much, which makes it extra frustrating that I seem to only be able to read a few pages a day. I like it very much so far.

I have to say that I'm rather appreciating that I am a slow reader right now. The word is 'savouring.' Really enjoying savouring this book.

I started Dodger but the somewhat formal writing style isn't really appealing to me. I guess it's just now what I'm in the mood for now. I'll try again in a few days.

Simcha wrote: "I started Dodger but the somewhat formal writing style isn't really appealing to me. I guess it's just now what I'm in the mood for now. I'll try again in a few days."

I think the sense of formality will fade into the background once you get into the flow of the story. In hindsight though, I think it's necessary for the story because the disparity between formality and informality, social classes, vocations, etc, is a one of the main themes in the novel.

I haven't come up with an opinion about the book yet :-\

I'm just past halfway. Am I the only slow reader on here? Just wondering...

I highly doubt you read slower than I do. I'm always frustrated by how slowly I read.
You've probably devoted less time to it than I did. I had time to read it on the train to and from work every single day this week.
I'm sure many here could finish this book in a day or two though.

The Dodger has landed!
Everything else will be put on hold while I see what I think.

i just finished 20% of the book and i have to say that i am really enjoying it but I'm also a longtime fan of Pratchett work.
Simcha i have to say that Pratchett characters have developed quite nicely in later books, for example the gourds series from the discworld characters like Captain Vimes, Sergeant Colon and Corporal Nobbs (my favorites characters) are developing quite nicely and you learn to laugh with them and really love them :)

I am enjoying this book but making very slow progress and I keep waiting for the action to start.

Has everyone else given up?
Or are you all just too engrossed in the book to comment?

Oh wow, I didn't realize that I had missed so many comments here. I have to admit that I haven't been making a real effort to read Dodger, after the slow beginning, but I'll focus on doing so this week.

I've finished! I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd been able to read it faster. It was a good read - not great, but good. I'm glad I read it, and glad to have finished it, and am unlikely to re-read it any time soon. I think it would be a better book for someone with extra time needing what to do. Fortunately the rest of my family (seven of us) will all want to read it, so I don't regret it. ;-)

I am enjoying but it is a slow read.
Also I'm not quite sure why it would be considered a pick for a Scifi and fantasy group? No complaints I'm just curious.
I assume it is the fact that it is described an alternate history though really it just seems to be an imaginative recreation.

So what's the verdict everyone?
I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I actually didn't finish the book, or even get too far into it. It's just been a stressful few weeks and I needed books that I could lose myself in, which never really happened with Dodger.
How about everyone else?

I agree with Esther that it doesn't really seem to fit our theme of F&SF, although it being Terry Pratchett it was a natural assumption. I liked it, I probably wouldn't have read it as quickly as I did if I wasn't reading it for the book club so that seems a benefit for me. I didn't lose myself in Dodger either. Still, I"m not complaining...

I actually finished it, and it was actually a pretty fast read.
On the other side it was very "comfortable" That is predictable, and derivative.
After years of having TP making up such wonderfully imaginative descriptions and story lines, it was disappointing to see him mining a well worn mine of convenient characters developed by others.
Using the "did this make me think" criteria of good scifi, this did not make the grade, and will be forgotten quickly, like a sugary doughnut.

Couldn't really bring myself to read dodger. The comments here didn't give me the incentive I needed to start reading a book by prachett. I guess my first prachett book will be Good Omens, Gaiman will probably encourage me to read a book co-written by prachett.

How about nominating a new book for December ?

I liked Dodger but like everyone in this thread the fact that this book was written by Terry Pratchett led me to assume automatically that it was a fantasy novel - my mistake, but still a good read :)

Good Omens is good.

As for Discworld Novels I'd recommend starting with Guards! Guards!

It was my first Discworld Novel and after reading all of them I'm glad that was my starting point. Some of his earlier books are not as polished. Guards is where I think her really hit his stride.

I've been a Prattet fan for years.
I've read just about every Novel he's written.

Dodger is not one of his better works.
I think my problem is that Dodger seems to be invisible. He's too good at everything he tries to do.

I never got the sense that he was in any real danger. Not from violence and not from powerful people.

I had a similar issue with his latest Discowrld Novel Snuff, where Vimes has become so powerful that nothing can touch him.

Compare the Vimes of Guards! Guards! to the Vimes of Snuff and you'll see what I mean.

At first I though my taste may have changed, but I've been rereading The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents and Terry definitly can write good YA.

Thanks Zivan :)

I thought to begin with Color of Magic, but if you recommend to start with Guards Guards, then I'll do so once I'll read my first Prachett book.